Starting an Orchard

I am an 18 year old apple orchard enthusiast that wants to grow organic. Currently, I am enrolled at a community college here in Northeast Wisconsin going for Horticulture. I believe this may be the closest degree/major/diploma to starting an orchard other than a sustainable agriculture college out in Vermont. My family has a 20 tree orchard that I just added onto turning it into 35 trees so I have been experimenting with pruning, budding, grafting, and organic pest methods. I have even found a local apple variety that won ribbons/medals at World Fairs and am getting help from Dan Bussey of the Seed Savers Exchange for re-introducing it. I made another discovery a couple weeks ago that will prove to be beneficial. Anyways, how might I go about getting experience in all things orchard and purchasing land for a 30-40 acre orchard along with a small farm?

I would suggest reading Michael's book "The Apple Grower" as a must-read for going organic. As far as the land, can't help you much in that regard, except to say that it needs to have well drained ground and not located at the bottom of a big hill. A 30-40 acre orchard is a huge undertaking. I'm assuming you are going to be growing a low density orchard?

Sounds like you are well on your way. Pat's recommendation to read Michael's book is a great one. He also has two others that are must-reads. Joining this forum was also a wonderful idea; there is so much information to gain from these places alone.

Is your school near your family's farm so that you can continue to work in your orchard? If not (or even if so), is there another orchard near you where you could maybe work/intern while you earn your degree? Even if they are not completely on the same wavelength managment-wise, getting out in an orchard and growing is the best experience, IMHO.

Land-wise I don't have much advice to offer you beyond keeping your ear to the ground and networking among farmers.

Best of luck! If you're ever in the Madison area, please let me know. You're always welcome at our place.

Pat Pryal Wrote:-------------------------------------------------------> I would suggest reading Michael's book "The Apple> Grower" as a must-read for going organic. As far> as the land, can't help you much in that regard,> except to say that it needs to have well drained> ground and not located at the bottom of a big> hill. A 30-40 acre orchard is a huge undertaking.> I'm assuming you are going to be growing a low> density orchard?>Thanks for the advice! I do have The Apple Grower book and is very helpful with everything. I love everything that the orchardists did in the glory days about growing trees. I would want to grow a low density orchard just like the old timers. I like the idea of trees growing without stakes.

Liz Griffith Wrote:-----------------------------------------------------> Is your school near your family's farm so that you> can continue to work in your orchard? If not (or> even if so), is there another orchard near you> where you could maybe work/intern while you earn> your degree? Even if they are not completely on> the same wavelength managment-wise, getting out in> an orchard and growing is the best experience,> IMHO.>> Land-wise I don't have much advice to offer you> beyond keeping your ear to the ground and> networking among farmers.>> Best of luck! If you're ever in the Madison area,> please let me know. You're always welcome at our> place.

I do still live at home and actually just pruned the apple trees up. There is are 2 orchards nearby, one I know that the guy uses pesticides pretty regularly and the other is family run. I was debating asking the family run one if I could work there but haven't gotten around to it yet.

Thanks for the invitation! I don't travel south much but when I do it is usually for a class or something related to learning.